Government Contracts Counseling & Litigation Associate – Midlevel – Anchorage, Portland, Seattle, or Washington, D.C.

Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP is seeking a mid-level associate (3–6 years of experience) to join its nationally recognized Government Contracts practice. This position offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated matters involving federal, state, and local procurement, grants and cooperative agreements, regulatory counseling, and related litigation. The role also includes advising Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and their affiliated entities on issues arising under federal contracting and federal assistance programs.

Responsibilities

The associate will advise government contractors and grant recipients, including Alaska Native Corporation entities, on a wide range of regulatory and compliance matters and represent clients in disputes arising under government contracts and federal financial assistance programs. Responsibilities will include:

• Counseling clients on federal procurement regulations, including the FAR, DFARS, and agency supplements
• Representing clients in bid protests, contract claims, and disputes before the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Boards of Contract Appeals, and other tribunals
• Representing clients in False Claims Act (FCA) matters, including government investigations, qui tam actions, civil litigation, and related compliance and enforcement proceedings involving federal procurement and grant funding
• Conducting internal investigations and compliance reviews involving the use of federal funds
• Assisting with regulatory disputes or enforcement matters involving federal grants and cooperative agreements
• Supporting M&A due diligence and transactional matters involving government contracts, ANC subsidiaries, and federal grant funding
• Collaborating with attorneys across offices on complex regulatory, compliance, and litigation matters
• Advising on federal grants and cooperative agreements, including compliance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 C.F.R. Part 200)
• Assisting clients with grant lifecycle issues, including proposal strategy, award negotiation, post-award administration, cost allowability, and closeout
• Advising on grant compliance, audit findings, and enforcement issues, including matters involving Inspectors General, agency oversight, and potential suspension or debarment
• Counseling clients on compliance with federal socioeconomic and small business contracting programs, including those administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration
• Advising Alaska Native Corporations and their subsidiaries, including participants in the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program, on regulatory compliance, eligibility, and structuring issues associated with federal contracting
• Assisting ANC clients with matters involving sole-source and competitive procurements, joint ventures, mentor-protégé relationships, and affiliation considerations
• Advising on cost principles, allowability, allocability, and audit requirements for entities receiving federal funding
  
  

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in government contracts and/or federal grants counseling, investigations, or litigation
• Experience advising on federal procurement and/or federal financial assistance programs
• Familiarity with the FAR, DFARS, and federal procurement processes, and Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200) governing federal grants and cooperative agreements
• Experience with or exposure to SBA small business programs, including the 8(a) Business Development Program, mentor-protégé arrangements, or joint venture structures
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
• Excellent academic credentials
• Admission to the bar in the jurisdiction where the candidate will practice (or ability to obtain promptly)
  
  

Preferred Experience

• Experience advising Alaska Native Corporations, tribal entities, or other Native-owned businesses participating in federal contracting programs
• Familiarity with regulatory issues affecting ANC subsidiaries and affiliated entities, including eligibility, affiliation, and procurement considerations
• Experience with grant compliance, cost principles, or federal audit processes
• Experience responding to OIG inquiries, agency oversight reviews, or enforcement matters involving federal funding
• Experience before the GAO, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, or Boards of Contract Appeals
• Prior government experience or clerkship in a procurement- or grants-related role or tribunal
• Experience advising on False Claims Act exposure, suspension and debarment, or related enforcement risks involving federal funds
• Experience advising on federal construction contracting, including issues arising under FAR Part 36
• Familiarity with construction-related federal contract clauses and requirements, including bonding, specifications, and contract administration issues
• Experience handling construction claims and disputes, including delay, disruption, differing site conditions, changes, and termination issues
• Experience representing contractors in construction-related claims before Boards of Contract Appeals or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• Experience advising on compliance issues applicable to federal construction projects, including prevailing wage requirements such as those under the Davis-Bacon Act
  
  

About The Practice

The firm’s Government Contracts group advises leading government contractors, companies, small business concerns, nonprofits, universities, and Alaska Native Corporation enterprises on the full lifecycle of federal contracting and grant funding—from proposal strategy and regulatory compliance to complex disputes, investigations, and audits. Associates work directly with experienced practitioners and gain early responsibility on high-profile matters.

Why DWT

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is a nationally recognized law firm known for its collaborative culture and commitment to delivering practical, business-focused legal solutions. Associates at DWT work closely with experienced partners and clients, gaining meaningful responsibility and hands-on experience early in their careers. The firm is committed to professional development, mentorship, and creating an environment where attorneys can build long-term, successful practices while providing exceptional service to clients.

Join Us!

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level and be part of a firm where your contributions are recognized and valued, please submit your cover letter addressed to Beka Anardi, Senior Recruiter; resume; copy of law school transcript; and a writing sample.

We are accepting third party submissions.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. It brings out the best of what each individual has to offer and inspires us to build strong and lasting connections with each other, our clients, and our communities.

We are committed to creating and cultivating a diverse workforce and inclusive environment where every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is our policy to hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), race, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religious creed, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military condition, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal laws.

Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email humanresources@dwt.com .

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:  The annualized salary range for this position is $147 ,000 to $325,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate’s education, training, experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. 

Core Benefits:  Full-time employees may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance (with an optional Health Savings Account), dental insurance, vision care, life insurance, and disability.

Paid Time Off (PTO):  Full-time employees receive sick leave benefits in accordance with  the appropriate state Sick & Safe Leave Policy . Attorneys generally take approximately three weeks of vacation annually, though the exact amount may vary depending on client and firm needs. The firm also provides 1 1 paid holidays each year.

Additional Programs:  Employees may participate in 401(k) retirement planning, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Available voluntary benefits include accident, life, disability, long-term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and transit programs are also available. Full-time employees may also be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.